This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D5178 − 21

Standard Test Method for

Mar Resistance of Organic Coatings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5178; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* Thickness of Coatings on Wood Products (Withdrawn

1992)3
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the mar
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
resistance on smooth, flat surfaces. Results are expressed in
Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
terms of force-to-mar films of organic coatings such as paint,
Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
varnish, and lacquer when applied to smooth, flat planar panel
ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
surfaces.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be ASTM Test Methods
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for Determine the Precision of a Test Method
information only and are not considered standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.1 mar resistance, n—the ability of a coating to resist
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- damage caused by light abrasion; it is a resistance of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. surface of the coating to permanent deformation, resulting
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- from the application of a dynamic mechanical force.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.1 The materials under test are applied at uniform thickness
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical to flat panels of uniform surface texture. After drying/curing,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. the mar resistance is determined by pushing the panels beneath
a loop stylus at a constant normal load. Increasing (decreasing)
loads are applied to the stylus until the coating is marred (not
2. Referenced Documents
marred).
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels 5. Significance and Use
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and 5.1 In some situations, marring of coatings applied to
Related Coating Products substrates under typical use conditions is unacceptable. This
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness test method has been found useful in differentiating the degree
of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels of marring of coatings on substrates. It is most useful in
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick- providing relative ratings for a series of coated panels exhib-
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers iting significant differences in marring.
D2691 Method for Microscopical Measurement of Dry Film 5.2 In a limited laboratory study, meaningful mar results
were impossible when powder coatings were tested. The mar
marking, that is, scratches, became less perceptible with time.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint Therefore, powder coatings may not be applicable coatings for
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of this test method.
Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films.
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally
6. Apparatus
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D5178 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/D5178-21.
2
6.1 Application Equipment, as described in Practices D823.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D5178 − 21
6.2 Film-Thickness Measuring Apparatus, as described in therefrom, unless otherwise specified or agreed upon by the
Test Methods D1005, D2691, or D7091. interested parties. Test at least two replicate specimens of each
6.3 Balanced Beam Scrape Adhesion and Mar Tester (Fig. 1 material.
and Fig. 2), consisting of a balanced beam to which is secured
a platform for supporting weights, and a rod at an angle of 45° 9. Procedure
that holds the loop stylus. The rod shall be set so that the loop 9.1 In preparation for using the apparatus, ensure that it is
stylus contacts test surfaces directly below the weights. The reasonably level and place it so that the weight holder is toward
weights shall be in increments of 0.5 kg up to a maximum load the operator to allow the operator freedom to manually move
of 10 kg. the test specimen under the weighted scraping element (loop).
6.3.1 Loop Stylus, the loop shall be 1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) Insert the loop into the holder and tighten the clamping screw.
diameter rod, bent into a “U” shape with an outside radius of Adjust the main bearing support so that the beam is balanced
0.128 in. 6 0.002 in. (3.25 mm 6 0.05 mm) and hardened to in the horizontal plane when the loop is just touching the
Rockwell HRC 56 to 58, and shall be a smooth finish. The loop specimen surface. The alignment of the beam should be such
can be either chromium plated, nickel plated, or heat treated that the end of the loop is over the midline of the movable
polished steel as agreed upon between the interested parties. table.
9.1.1 Periodically examine the loop to ensure that the
7. Preparation of Specimens original smooth surface is intact. If the contacting surface is
7.1 Panels shall be flat, and either metallic or nonmetallic worn, reverse the loop. When both sides are worn, replace with
panels as agreed upon by the interested parties. If no panel a new loop.
material is specified, use 0.032 in. (0.8 mm) cold-rolled carbon 9.2 Raise the beam and lock it in the raised position. Wipe
steel prepared in accordance with Methods B or C of Practice the loop with a clean cloth or chamois. Position the specimen
D609. on the sliding platform against the stop so that the specimen
7.1.1 Typical panel dimensions are 4 in. (100 mm) wide by can be moved away from the operator and there is an area at
6 in. (150 mm) or 8 in. (200 mm) long and a thickness of 0.5 in. least 3 in. (75 mm) long by 1⁄2 in. (12 mm) wide on the
(12 mm) or less. Other panel dimensions are acceptable, specimen parallel to the horizontal plane through the beam.
provided they accommodate sufficient tests as specified in 9.3 Place weights on the weight support using an initial amount
– 9.5. that is estimated to be appropriate for the particular coating.
7.2 Apply the materials under test to panels of the compo- 9.3 Release the beam and carefully lower it until the loop
sition and surface condition on which it is desired to determine rests on the coated test specimen and the full load is applied,
mar resistance of the coating. The surface preparation, then slowly push the sliding platform away from the operator
thickness, and number of coats shall be specified or agreed at a rate of 1⁄4 in. (6 mm)/s for a distance of at least 3 in.
upon between the interested parties. Apply coatings and air dry (75 mm).
or bake under conditions of humidity and temperature mutually 9.3.1 If the coating is marred by the initial scrape, continue
agreeable to the interested parties. the testing using successively smaller loads (0.5 kg increments)
until the coating is not marred. If the coating is not marred,
8. Conditioning and Number of Tests continue the test using successively larger loads (0.5 kg
8.1 Condition the test panels for at least 48 h at 23°C 6 2°C increments) until the coating is marred or until the maximum
(73.5°F 6 3.5°F) and 50 % 6 5 % relative humidity, and test load of 10 kg has been applied. Use a new area of the test
in the same environment, or immediately on removal surface each time a scrape is made.

FIG. 1 Balanced Beam Scrape Adhesion and Mar Tester

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 D5178 − 21

FIG. 2 Balanced Beam Scrape Adhesion and Mar Tester

TABLE 1 Film Thickness (microns)

Repeatability Reproducibility
Standard Standard Repeatability Reproducibility
Material Average A
Deviation Deviation Limit Limit
X̄ sr SR r R
Panel Set E and RB 109.9 32.2 37.5 90.2 105.0
Panel Set B and HB 93.3 10.9 10.9 30.4 30.6
Panel Set D and GB 74.0 25.2 25.2 70.4 70.4
A
The average of the laboratories’ averages.
B
Five laboratories reported results.

TABLE 2 Load at the Mar Failure End Point (kg)

Repeatability Reproducibility
Standard Standard Repeatability Reproducibility
Material Average A
Deviation Deviation Limit Limit
X̄ sr SR r R
Panel Set E and RB 7.05 0.88 1.98 2.46 5.55
Panel Set B and HB 1.52 1.34 1.34 3.75 3.75
Panel Set D and G 1.25 0.93 0.93 2.60 2.60
A
The average of the laboratories’ averages.
B
Five laboratories reported results.

9.4 When the critical load has been determined, repeat the 11. Precision and Bias
test five times at each of the following three loadings: 0.5 kg 11.1 The precision of this test method is based on an
above, 0.5 kg below and at the load determined in 9.3.1. Use interlaboratory study of D5178, Standard Test Method for Mar
the replicate specimen to apply these three loads in random Resistance of Organic Coatings, conducted in 2015. Six
fashion so the same load is not made in succession. laboratories tested three panel pairings. Every “test result”
9.5 To confirm the critical load determined in 9.4 was represents an individual determination. Practice E691 was
correct, tabulate the number of times the coating was marred followed for the design and analysis of the data; the details are
for each applied load. If it is determined the critical load was given in ASTM Research Report No: RR:D01-1182.4
too excessive (insufficient), repeat the test five times 0.5 kg 11.1.1 Repeatability Limit (r)—The difference between re-
below (above) the loading identified in 9.4 until the mar failure petitive results obtained by the same operator in a given
point is identified. laboratory applying the same test method with the same
apparatus under constant operating conditions on identical test
10. Report material within short intervals of time would in the long run, in
10.1 Report the following information: the normal and correct operation of the test method, exceed the
10.1.1 Load in kilograms at the mar failure point, following values only in one case in 20.
10.1.2 Panel material and surface preparation,
10.1.3 “U” shape loop surface finish, 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
10.1.4 Dry-film thickness, and be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D01-1182. Contact ASTM Customer
10.1.5 Any deviation from the specified procedure. Service at [email protected].

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 D5178 − 21
11.1.1.1 Repeatability can be interpreted as maximum dif- differences greater than predicted by the ILS results will arise,
ference between two results, obtained under repeatability sometimes with considerably greater or smaller frequency than
conditions that are accepted as plausible due to random causes the 95 % probability limit would imply. The precision limits
under normal and correct operation of the test method. below should be considered general guides, and the associated
11.1.1.2 Repeatability limits are listed in Table 1 and Table probability of 95 % as only a rough indicator of what can be
2. expected.
11.1.2 Reproducibility Limit (R)—The difference between 11.2 Bias—At the time of the study, there was no accepted
two single and independent results obtained by different reference material suitable for determining the bias for this test
operators applying the same test method in different laborato- method, therefore no statement on bias is being made.
ries using different apparatus on identical test material would,
in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test 11.3 The precision statement was determined through sta-
method, exceed the following values only in one case in 20. tistical examination of 62 test results, from a total of six
11.1.2.1 Reproducibility can be interpreted as maximum laboratories, on three pairings of materials. The materials used
difference between two results, obtained under reproducibility were described as the following:
conditions that are accepted as plausible due to random causes Panel set B: Polyurethane Coating
under normal and correct operation of the test method. Panel set D: Epoxy Coating
11.1.2.2 Reproducibility limits are listed in Table 1 and Panel set E: Polysiloxane Coating
Table 2. Panel set G: Epoxy Coating
11.1.3 The above terms (repeatability limit and reproduc- Panel set H: Polyurethane Coating
ibility limit) are used as specified in Practice E177. Panel set R: Polysiloxane Coating
11.1.4 Any judgment in accordance with statements 11.1.1 11.4 To judge the equivalency of two test results, it is
and 11.1.2 would have an approximate 95 % probability of recommended to choose the panel set type closest in charac-
being correct, however the precision statistics obtained in this teristics to the test panels.
ILS must not be treated as exact mathematical quantities which
are applicable to all circumstances and uses. The limited 12. Keywords
number of materials tested, replicates reported, and laborato- 12.1 balanced beam scrape adhesion and mar tester; bal-
ries participating guarantees that there will be times when anced beam tester; coatings; mar or organic mar resistance

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D5178 – 16) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved June 1, 2021.)

(1) Removed reference to withdrawn standards D1186 and (5) Eliminated reference to 1⁄2 in. width specimen.
D1400 and replaced with D7091. (6) Updated 9.4 to specify the loads to test above and below the
(2) Updated the summary of test method, 4.1, to reflect that critical load as 0.5 kg above and 0.5 kg below.
tests are conducted at a constant force and increasing (decreas- (7) Provided additional explanation in 9.5 for using the number
ing) loads are applied until the coating is marred (not marred). of times the coating was marred to confirm the critical load.
(3) Added weights to the apparatus description in 6.3.
(4) Summarized panel description in 7.1 by combining infor-
mation originally found in 6.3 and 7.1.1, and including typical
panel dimensions.

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